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HDZ responds to Sokol: 'We hope he didn't feel obliged to apologize...'
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Elections & Politics

HDZ responds to Sokol: 'We hope he didn't feel obliged to apologize...'

From Veฤernji List · (13m ago) Croatian Critical tone

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The HDZ party responded to statements made by party official Tomislav Sokol, refuting claims that the party's Croatian identity or commitment to the Croatian people only became credible after its coalition with the Homeland Movement.
  • HDZ emphasized that its core values of statehood, national identity, and Christian democracy are foundational and have guided the party since its inception, not as a result of any coalition.
  • The party rejected any implication that its credibility or commitment to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina is diminished without the influence of other, supposedly more right-wing, political options.

Zagreb, Croatia โ€“ The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has issued a strong rebuttal to recent statements by party official Tomislav Sokol, vehemently rejecting any suggestion that the party's core identity and commitment to the Croatian nation are contingent on its political alliances. The statement, issued by the 'Founders of HDZ,' underscores the party's unwavering stance on its foundational principles.

HDZ does not need to prove itself to anyone in terms of its Croatian identity, statehood, and care for the Croatian people.

โ€” HDZ FoundersResponding to claims that the party's credibility is enhanced by recent coalitions.

At the heart of the dispute is Sokol's assertion that 'normal people no longer feel obliged to apologize for being right-wing, conservative, and Christian democratic' only after the HDZ's coalition with the Homeland Movement. The HDZ founders express hope that Sokol himself did not feel 'obliged to apologize for his political orientation' since joining the party in 2004, emphasizing that these values are inherent to HDZ's very being and were central to Croatia's independence and state-building.

We reject any assertion that HDZ, without the 'beneficial' influence of others, supposedly 'more right-wing' political options, would be less credible in its Croatian identity, statehood, or Christian democratic identity.

โ€” HDZ FoundersRefuting the idea that the party's core values are dependent on external political forces.

The party leadership stressed that its commitment to Croatian statehood, national identity, and the well-being of ethnic Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a constant and strategic imperative, not a matter of political expediency or coalition bargaining. They criticized the notion that HDZ, as the party that forged the Croatian state, needs to prove its 'Croatianness' or its dedication to the diaspora. This internal debate highlights the ongoing discussions within Croatia's dominant political party about identity, coalition politics, and the enduring legacy of its founding principles.

Care for the equal rights of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a permanent obligation of Croatian policy and one of the strategic issues of the Croatian people.

โ€” HDZ FoundersAffirming the party's consistent commitment to the rights of ethnic Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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